Healing and Psychotherapy: The Pentecostal Tradition

This paper explores the practice of healing in the Pentecostal movement. The practice of healing has a long tradition in Pentecostal practice. The meaning of divine healing and what could be components of a theology of healing are examined. It is important for pastoral counselors, pastors, and chaplains to be aware of the importance of divine healing for Pentecostal clients.     

工匠传统在心理治疗(咨询)中的复兴

作者站在科学史的高度,分析了学者传统对心理咨询的方向性误导。从精神分析、行为主义,以至人本主义,心理治疗显示朝向整体论的倾向。但此种倾向被作为科学时代范式的学者传统所阻碍。心理治疗仍专注于根本原因,而忽视效果;专注于学派提供的片面视野,而忽视解决问题的完整过程;重于知而轻于行。伊根博士的模式提供了真正整体论的．能将各种视野,方法有效组织起来的心理咨询路线图,它能将知行整合、创造心理咨询最大成效。推动了心理咨询方法论根本转变。     

Some Aspects of Empathy in the Process of Psychotherapy: Learning from Indian Tradition

This article focuses on some practices in Indian tradition as interventions for enhancing empathy among aspiring psychotherapists. In this venture, author after briefly looking into the evolution of pro-social behavior, it defines basic nature of bond formation between therapist and client, and then summarizes findings of studies on Eastern meditational practices in the context of empathy. Since there is not much convincing evidence that meditational practices enhanced empathy in psychotherapists, the suggestion is to explore other processes in the Indian tradition. Intuition (pratibha) and holistic learning (vyutpatti) are among those processes, respectively, for journeys into the inner world and interventions at community level. They are pragmatic ways to sensitize the aspiring psychotherapists.     

Gadamer: Psychotherapy as conversation

Outcome research into psychotherapy shows that therapeutic approaches may all be equally valid forms of therapy despite the mutually exclusive theories on which they are based. Reviews of what therapists do in practice suggest a largely atheoretical and eclectic approach in which non-specific factors such as empathy, clinical management and persuasion are prominent. This paper proposes that a hermeneutic approach based on the work of the German philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer can be useful in providing a non-dogmatic basis for therapy which makes room for these non-specific qualities. It outlines a hermeneutic mode of therapy and shows how this can allow for the rhetorical, interpretative and poetic dimensions of therapy-in-action.     

Psychotherapy as religion: Pros and cons

Psychotherapy and religiousness are closely linked without being identical. This theme is explored in the relationship between therapist and client, in a faith development theory, and in feminist perspectives which present potentials for transforming religiousness and psychotherapy. The main critique of psychotherapy as religiousness is its lack of both communal and ecological dimensions.     

Countertransference and the Erotic

Eros is like a huge spark that ignites our passion and then confronts us with the problem of living out this fire in ordinary space and time. What do we each know of this spark, this flame? Who or what was it’s object? Where have we felt this force for unity in ourselves, with another person, with life itself? Where are we unlived erotically? Where are the chinks in our erotic life? In focusing on the erotic in clinical work, we usually begin with the analysand’s transference. I want to explore eros in the life of the analyst for our relation to eros influences the clinical work we do. When eros is constellated, two possibilities of relationship present themselves: to an actual other who must be reckoned with as real, and to a psychic content, equally real, which we do not invent or control. How do we experience this electricity? What is our desire like? What does it take us back to, and toward what unseen purpose does it propel us? Eros brings with it a sense of purpose, of going somewhere important, something that enlists body, soul, and spirit.     

The Erotic and the Mystical in Postmodernity

Abstract

There has always been a close connection between divine and erotic love in the Western mystical tradition, from the Pseudo-Dionysius to St John of the Cross, and it is found also in poets such as John Donne and George Herbert. It is a tradition returned to in Ron Hansen's novel Mariette in Ecstasy (1991) in which Mariette, though banished from her convent, remains a stigmatic and Christ's ‘lover’. The essay concludes with a brief review of the postmodernity that entertains both the erotic—dangerous sex—and the love of God in true hospitality.     

Anasakti as Interpreted and Practised in the Bhakti Tradition

Anasakti refers to traits like detachment, non-concern for outcome, equanimity in the face of both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances and selfless duty, accompanied with the ability to disengage from the material pleasures to the extent of completely disconnecting from the fruits of ones’ actions. While anasakti could certainly be a desirable goal for every individual, it is far from easy to bring this into practice. This paper discusses how the Hindu philosophy of Tatvavada as followed by Vaishnava Brahmins impacts their world view and helps develop anasakti in facing various crises in everyday life. This paper draws from a larger ethnomethodologically informed ethnography of a Gurukula. During fieldwork that lasted over 18 months, the researcher was able to observe and interview residents in the Gurukula and devotees visiting the place. The themes that came up in in-depth interviews argue that bhakti may provide a concrete anchor to help develop anasakti in the face of traumatic events, contributing to enhancement of their well-being while providing a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.     

Ideal objects as models in science

Three main concepts of model in science are distinguished: (1) semantical model of a theory; (2) real model of another real thing; (3) mathematical model of a real thing. The last concept is the most important for the empirical sciences. The mathematical model is not identical with a theory: it is an ideal object which is directly described by the theory. We have here an intermediate level between reality and theory.     

Marriage as Covenant: Tradition as a Guide to Marriage Education in the Pastoral Context

Public sentiment and rhetoric in recent years have unleashed a maelstrom of discussion over the definition of marriage. The insights that arise from consulting tradition and understanding the development of marriage for Christians are fundamental for explicating the special place matrimony holds in Christianity. Marriage ministry, especially marriage education, must employ an integrated holistic approach that offers a balanced presentation of the social, personal, and spiritual dimensions of marriage. The purpose of this paper is to review Christian tradition in order to inform and guide a ministerial praxis.     

Psyche and System: On Progress in the Integration of Individual Psychotherapy and Family Psychotherapy

This article addresses the frequency with which the same group of patients utilizes individual and family therapies, and at the same time do not constitute actual integration. The conditions under which such serial or concurrent utilization of the two forms of psychotherapy may be considered to be integrative are discussed.     

Finding God in the Heart-Genital Connection: Joe Kramer's Erotic Christianity

Abstract

This article is a celebration of the work of Joe Kramer, founder of the EroSpirit Research Institute and instructor of thousands of men in the practices of erotic spirituality. It is argued that Kramer's work in encouraging men to explore the potential of their erotic energy has been particularly helpful to those who have experienced an erotophobic Christian heritage. Although Kramer is not without his critics the author argues that he is engaged in a healing practice which constructs an ‘eschatological sexuality’ that dares to reach towards forms of sexual praxis located in a transformed future.     

Psychotherapy in the schools: Promise and perplexity

The Child Resource Team has been in existance since January of 1973. Designed to operate as an alternative to outside agency referral, the multidisciplinary unit provides intensive therapy to school-aged children and their families in Jefferson County, Colorado. Following two years of operation, an analysis of the team's successes and failures has revealed significant gains and difficulties. Both are discussed in detail, with on-going and proposed changes in method of operation noted.     

Motherhood in the 21st Century: Implications for Counselors

Although mental health professionals frequently work with mothers, the social construction of motherhood is rarely discussed in the counseling field. In this article, the literature on motherhood is reviewed. Intensive mothering expectations are critiqued, and the impact of these expectations on employed mothers, mothers on welfare, and stay‐at‐home mothers is discussed. Suggestions for mental health professionals are provided.